t Otaheite, and brought here
as a tribute to its warlike inhabitants; Cook's object being to
manufacture it into iron tools to trade with. It was easily obtained
from the chief Opoony for some axes and other articles.

Cook here landed, as at other places, goats and hogs, in hopes that the
archipelago would in a few years be stocked with all the valuable
domestic animals of Europe. Sailing from Bolabola on the 8th of
December, he steered northward, and on the 24th saw a low island, of
barren appearance, to which the name of "Christmas Island" was given.
It was uninhabited, though nearly twenty leagues in circumference. No
fresh water could be found here, but three hundred green turtles were
taken.

On the 18th of January, 1778, an island appeared north-east by east, and
soon after another was seen bearing north, and the next day a third, in
a west-north-west direction. From the second some men came off to the
ships in a canoe. They were of a brown colour, but the features of many
differed little from those of Europeans. As the vessels steered along
the coast, several villages were seen, and the inhabitants brought off
pigs and fine potatoes. From the looks of amazement with which they
regarded the ships and everything on board, it was evident that they
were unused to European visitors; at the same they exhibited remarkable
intelligence. On rowing ashore with three armed boats and a party of
marines, the instant Cook landed, the natives fell flat on their faces,
until by expressive signs he prevailed upon them to rise. They had
brought a number of small pigs, which they presented on plantain-leaves,
one of the party making a long speech. The people willingly assisted
the sailors in rolling the casks to and from the watering-place, and
made no attempt to cheat or steal.

To this group, now first visited by civilised man, the name of the
"Sandwich Islands" was given, in compliment to the First Lord of the
Admiralty. On leaving these islands,--destined to be so fatal to the
discoverer,--the ships steered for New Albion, which had been visited by
Drake. After tacking on and off the shore for several days, they put
into a harbour, which received the title of "Hope Bay." The morning
afterwards three canoes, shaped like Norway yawls, came off from a
village, and a man, dressed in the skin of an animal, with a rattle in
each hand, make a long speech. Others followed, and one of the party
sang a pleasant air in a